Tips to Maintain Your Toothbrush

Posted September 7, 2016.

Brushing your teeth daily is an important habit to keep your teeth healthy. So is keeping your brush in good condition. Regular use will wear it out and allow it to gather bacteria. So it is a good idea to care for it so it keeps your mouth healthy. To care for your toothbrush, Dr. Jun H Chung recommends these tips.

Rinse After UseThe most important part of caring for your toothbrush is to thoroughly wash it out after brushing. This will remove the remaining toothpaste and any food particles the bristles picked up. Some people like to rinse with super-hot water or purified water, but that’s really not necessary. Normal tap water will work just fine for this.

Store Your Brush ProperlyMaking sure your brush dries properly is very important to your long-term health. If you cover it or store it in a place where it can’t dry, then the water and warmth can prompt the growth of bacteria. Use a stand that holds your toothbrush vertically and away from any other brushes. This will allow proper drying and prevent cross-contamination.

Replace Every Four MonthsRegular brushing is vital to your oral health, but the constant use is very hard on your toothbrush. The bristles will wear out and stop cleaning your teeth properly. You can tell when this happens by closely looking at the bristles. Worn bristles have split ends and are frayed. This generally happens around month 4, so it’s best to replace your brush then.

For more information about dental hygiene or to set an appointment, contact Lansdowne Dental Arts in Leesburg, Virginia.